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Friday, 7 February 2014

Drama Production is one of the third year modules for BA
(Hons) Drama students. This course gives students the opportunity to either act
or direct a full length play. This is a great alternative to a dissertation for
all those students who are fearful of essays. The exciting thing about this
course is the prospective directors pitch play ideas which the course leaders
choose from and then the actors get the chance to audition for the plays they
prefer. I auditioned for three out of the four choices (it’s recommended that
you audition for as many as possible) and was cast in Road by Jim Cartwright.

I am over the moon to be performing in this play and
particularly to be playing Louise. Louise is a gentle soul who is quiet and
follows the crowd. Her best friend Carol is much the opposite; energetic, loud
and forthcoming. They make a comical double act which reflects my actual
relationship with the actor who plays Carol, Bethany Fisher. For example, at
the end of last summer we went to Essex for a friend’s birthday where we
sustained roughly a level 10 on the hyperactive scale all weekend. Those that
were there named us a double act as funny as Laurel and Hardy and as successful
as Ant and Dec. I can imagine this is going to help us tremendously for our
performance. The final scene of the play that features our characters heavily
is set after a night out (at the post-lash), in preparation for this scene Beth
and I are going to get drunk and film ourselves acting it out, then watch it
when we’re sober and replicate our mannerisms. Not only will this help with our
drunk acting abilities but it will also be a hilarious activity!

This play is set in Lancashire during the 1980’s and it
highlights the inequality of Thatcher’s policies. Cartwright gives an eloquent
voice to an ignored margin of society. If you’re interested in watching a black
comedy with an excellent cast, come and watch on the 15th or 16th
of May at Bathway Building in Woolwich.